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Asher Ben Haim
How do we relate to these malachim? Rishonim already struggled with the matter, with a wide gap between the extremes of the gamut of opinions. According to some, whenever a malach is mentioned in Tanach, it is a spiritual creature, without a body, and possessing supernatural powers. So, for example, Rashi (ibid.) describes how malachim transferred sheep from Lavan’s flock to Yaakov’s in order to foil Lavan’s plan to cheat him. According to this approach, even when the Torah mentions an "ish" it could very well be referring to an angel, as the "ish" who directed Yosef to the fateful meeting with his brothers was the angel, Gavriel. Another approach, among whose proponents are the Rambam and Ibn Ezra, limits or eliminates the appearance of such heavenly creatures in physical interaction with mankind. The Rambam interprets some apparent interactions, like the three visitors in the beginning of Parashat Vayeira, as a prophetic dream. The Ibn Ezra interprets many mentions of "malach" as a messenger, whether it is a human (like those whom Yaakov sent to Eisav), or a force of nature (as in Tehillim 104:4).
In the haftara (according to some minhagim) we read the navi, Hoshea’s, account of Yaakov. "In the womb he grabbed his brother’s heel, and with his strength he struggled with [an angel of] Hashem. He struggled with an angel and was successful; he cried and begged him; he will find us in Beit El, and there he will speak with us" (Hoshea 12:4-5). Mention of the crying and the malach hint at a pasuk earlier in Tanach. "The malach of Hashem came up from Gilgal to the Bochim (named after the crying that took place there)" (Shoftim 2:1). There the navi tells how a malach exhorted Bnei Yisrael to stay away from dangerous influences. Who is this malach, and what is the context of his appearance?
As Hoshea connects between crying and Beit El, it is worthwhile to look a few p’sukim earlier: "The House of Yosef also went up to Beit El, and Hashem was with them" (ibid. 1:22). Beit El was the spiritual center of the time, and therefore it makes a lot of sense that the malach would address Bnei Yisrael there. Who was the malach? Chazal (Vayikra Rabba 1:1) tell us that it was Pinchas and that when he prophesied, his face shone like a torch, resembling a malach. Pinchas, also identified as Eliyahu, malach habrit, can fit in to the same machloket we started with. Do we look at him as a malach, with supernatural powers and longevity, or as a person who will die?
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
